President Nana Addo- Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the leadership of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana to continue to uphold and jealously guard the virtues of hardwork, respect and truthfulness bequeathed to them by the founding fathers of the church.
That, he explained, was the only way they could have a history to remember towards leaving a befitting legacy for the new generations joining the church.
President Akufo- Addo made the call at Peki Blengo in the South Dayi District on Saturday when he joined the leadership of the church, chiefs and the entire membership to mark the grand durbar of the celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the church.
The celebration which is on the theme “175 years in Ministry, Achievements, Challenges and the way forward” brought people from all over the world.
The church which started in 1847 by the North German Mission Society(German Mission), by Lorenz Wolf a German Missionary and came to Peki marking the birth of the churches in Ghana and Togo.
President Akufo-Addo explained that, not many institutions ever made it to 175 years of existence and they must be justifiably proud that the church not only survived but also blossom why they celebrate this significant landmark anniversary.
We remember today the sacrifices the young German Missionaries from Bremen made to plant a seed that has grown to bear fruits playing considerable role in the development of the country.
The President noted further that, it was reassuring to look around today and be able to say that the church could still reclaim the attributes that set it apart years ago.
The EP Church, Ghana has played a crucial role in the development of the country building a lot of institutions in the areas of education, health and agriculture throughout the country.
He said Ghana certainly expected more from the church that produced great men like Ephraim Amu, a local Peki man, the composer of our unofficial anthem.
President Akufo-Addo said further that, one of the things that set apart the early Presbyterians in this country were the Salems and Kpodzi communities set up around the church adhere to cleanliness and tree planting which we must be proud of.
He assured that the government would continue to collaborate with the church to bring more light to where darkness was so that together they could build a more prosperous country.
He paid a glowing tribute to early Paramount Chief of Peki and the current one for allowing the missionaries to come and start the church that had spread throughout the country.
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the church, Rt Rev Dr Lt.Col.Bliss Divine Agbeko (rtd) in his remarks said the 175 years of ministerial experiences in sending light to where there was darkness was still in forced.
He said regardless their mixed experiences they had to be thankful to God and looking for better things to come.
He assured that they would continue to support the government in “educating and healing of our citizens through orthodox and acceptable standards.”
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa in his remarks said the EP Church, Ghana had made a lot of strides in the areas of education of which he was a beneficiary.
The Paramount Chief of Peki Traditional Area, Deiga Kwadzo-Dei XII, who chaired the function said “we cannot ignore the significant role our chiefs and elders of our traditional communities played in hosting the church into their societies when the early missionaries came.”
He pledged his continuous support for the church in making sure that it remained the best church in the country.
He also commended the government for continuing the Eastern Corridor Road which was progressing steadily.
FROM KAFUI GATI, PEKI BLENGO
